quick Author's Note: when looking at scenes that take place in the movie, please be aware that certain actions/dialogue are different since this is obviously alternate-universe-Boondock Saints due to Amy being a part of the story.

Everyone enjoy!

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Chapter Eight: Loss of Innocence / St. Patty's Day

Friday, March 12, 1999.

Connor MacManus, since his arrival in the United States, had never called a woman back after sleeping with her. When his interest was sex – that was it. He never took advantage of a woman; Connor was always careful that the woman (or women) understood the ground rules. It was rare for him to even spend the whole night at her apartment.

Murphy used to be the same way. He damned the women around him and, more importantly, Murphy damned himself. The women around him seemed more adamant to hang around him or to offer to buy him a drink or two. Connor was definitely in the "mode" tonight. He hung around the pool table with a girl at each side of him. He played along the usual routine: jokes, drinks, compliments, flirting, and more drinks.

A woman, whose name he had already forgotten, was telling Murphy her life story.

He tipped the large glass of beer to his lips. Murphy nodded and raised his eyebrows in mock amusement. He wasn't in the mood to be rude tonight.

Earlier in the day Amy had left for Illinois. Right after school had let out, Murphy, Connor and Doc had taken her to the airport. She was starting her Spring Break by leaving for Edison, Illinois early and getting a head-start on all her school stuff. Depending on how the schedule went, Amy had promised she would be back early in the week to try and celebrate St. Patty's Day.

The woman sitting next to him – Margaret, Mary Margaret, Maggie? – was laughing at a joke she had told. Murphy didn't laugh with her. His disinterest was becoming obvious but it made the woman only try harder…

He missed her.

Murphy hated himself more and more. Amy's special Christmas promise had remained firm.

At least twice a week Murphy found himself in Amy's bedroom. The young girl was learning more about sex from her experienced partner; Amy was also finding a lot more enjoyment and fun in sex.

Murphy and Amy would sometimes hide in the storage room (for the beer and liquor) and make out. Their kissing would sometimes lead them to do more, but they could never bring themselves to have sex (out of fear of Doc or someone else walking in).

Murphy had told Amy once that he felt like he was taking away her innocence. Amy had shrugged it off. "I'm eighteen. It's about time," had been her response.

Amy was still the same person, yet Murphy was learning more about this new, sexually active Amy. The girl loved sex – and she especially loved having sex with Murphy. Amy had finally broken up with Eric and her attention seemed to be beamed only on the Irishman.

After every rendezvous, Murphy and Amy would sit quietly together and talk about Amy's college plans and the realization that soon their special partnership would have to come to an end. Amy always agreed but she never stopped teasing Murphy with dirty text messages or enticing him by wearing more-revealing-clothing.

And he missed her… It wasn't just the sex. Murphy knew he was capable of having sex with anyone he wanted. Hell, the woman blabbing about her ex-boyfriends was a perfect target.

But Murphy couldn't bring himself to even flirt politely.

I'm fucked… Murphy realized. He began to light a cigarette but the nameless-woman took care of that for him.

"Honey, you seem like you're zoning out tonight," the woman said. Her curly red hair was obnoxious to Murphy. "What can I do to help?"

"Keep talkin' lass, your voice is so… relaxing," Murphy lied.

The woman seemed pleased. She took Murphy's comment and began to talk more about pointless things…

Murphy felt at his pocket to see if he had missed a text message on his cell.

"Murph!" Connor's voice echoed in Murphy's ear. Murphy turned to see Connor approach him with a beautiful woman on each arm. The grin on Connor's face was priceless. "Oh dear brot'er, I'm headin' to the hotel where these lovely ladies are stayin' at. Care to join?" He nodded toward the blonde on his right. "Her name's Rachel." He turned to the dark-haired girl on his left. "And this is Yvonne."

Murphy nodded politely to the women. "Aye, nice to meet ya there ladies." He turned to the nameless-woman. "This here is… Marg…"

"Mary Beth Margaret," the woman beside Murphy pouted.

"That all your first name dearie?" Murphy asked.

Offended, Mary Beth Margaret left her stool and stomped away.

Yvonne left Connor's side and stood next to Murphy.

"C'mon babe…" Yvonne whispered. "Come out with us."

"Aye, separate rooms," Connor suggested, "we aren't aimin' this to be a group thing."

Murphy laughed. "Aye. Not into that sort of thing." Yvonne placed her hand on his shoulder. Murphy took her hand into his and kissed her knuckles. "Sorry dear, not tonight."

"Tomorrow?" Yvonne said as she bit her lip.

"Not any night I'm afraid," Murphy replied. He raised his glass to his brother and the two women. "To your night."

Connor nodded and welcomed back Yvonne to his free side. "Aye brother, have a good night."

"You do da same," Murphy grinned and took a sip of his beer.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

St. Patrick's Day

Amy had told Doc that she wouldn't be back until the end of the week.

She had lied.

The eighteen-year-old exited the airport with a suitcase rolling behind her and a duffel bag slung over her arm. She had freshened up in the women's restroom – fixed her make-up, changed into a fresh shirt (a long-sleeved off-the-shoulder green shirt – she had made sure it was green otherwise Rocco would use the excuse to pinch her), and pulled her hair back into a green clip.

It was getting close to midnight and Amy knew McGinty's would still be hosting a couple of people.

The trip had been exciting. Amy had toured the campus and had already signed a lease for an apartment starting in August. She had met a lot of other transfers and had already gotten a feel for the city of Edison.

But she was glad to be back. When Amy had been alone in her hotel room, she had cried – a little – because she missed the sounds of the bar and Doc's stuttering voice. Not hearing "fuck" or "ass" every couple of minutes had irked her.

Amy had successfully hailed a cab and the driver politely loaded her baggage into the trunk.

She climbed into the back and sighed. Amy rubbed her cold hands together and waited patiently for the driver to return. After she gave the driver directions, Amy's smile grew wider at the thought of entering the bar in about thirty minutes.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Amy tiredly dragged her baggage along her side. She could hear laughter erupting from the bar's closed doors.

She stepped inside to find the whole row at the bar occupied by six men. Connor, Murphy, and Rocco – Amy's favorites – were there too.

Doc was the first to notice her arrival.

"Amy!" the old man shouted.

The row of men turned and they all began to shout for her. Amy dropped her bags by the door and ran first to Doc behind the bar.

She leaped into the man's arms and Doc welcomed her fully.

"You said you wouldn't be b-b-back till the weekend," Doc asked.

Amy pulled away. She couldn't help from smiling. "I wanted to surprise you," Amy said. She turned to the familiar, friendly faces gleaming at her. "I missed you guys."

"See, I always knew you loved me," Rocco winked at Amy. "It's time we tell Doc the truth babe."

"And what truth is that, babe?" Amy sniggered.

"That we're getting' hitched an' headin' to Vegas!" Rocco shouted. He held his arms out in defense as Doc threw ice at him.

Amy laughed and leaned against Doc's arm.

"Aye, how was Illinois love?" Connor asked.

"You had a quick trip," Murphy noted.

Amy couldn't pull her eyes away. She had missed Murphy. Her lover wore one of those sweaters that she adored on him. It was a bit too big for him but Amy didn't mind imagining his body beneath the heavy fabric. She turned to look back at Connor – nice brown sweater and a curious grin.

Amy: "Saw a lot. Learned a lot. I set up a lease at an apartment complex in the area. Just a five minute walk from the campus. The manager at the apartment said its okay for me to send my stuff in the summer and they'll leave it in the apartment for me." She sighed and rested her head tiredly on Doc's shoulder. "I'm glad to be back."

"You weren't gone long, love," Connor laughed.

"Aye," Amy mocked his accent, "but so much happened these last few days. I was just tired of the whole orientation-new-stuff process. I missed home."

"And we missed you sweetheart," Doc patted his niece's head. "And just in time to celebrate St. P-P-Patty's wit' us."

Rocco raised his drink in the air. "To Amy!" the rest of the men followed his lead, "may she get her ass out of Southie as soon as fucking possible!"

The men all cheered and drank.

Amy turned to Murphy. She couldn't escape his gaze and all Amy wanted to do was jump into his arms.

Instead Amy walked around the bar and came to Connor. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder playfully and Connor pulled the girl onto his lap. He tilted the girl back and Connor began to place kisses on her cheek.

"Missed you Aimes my dearest love," Connor laughed in her ear.

"And I you my dearest Connor," Amy giggled back. As Connor brought her to sit back up, Amy's legs kicked Rocco in the side.

"Hey hey watch it!" Rocco barked. "That's my fiancé there!"

"You watch your fu-fuckin' FUCK! ASS! mouth!" Doc yelled.

Murphy leaned over the bar to throw ice at Doc. He turned his head to eye Amy.

Amy asked, "So what were you guys talking about before I got here?"

"That your uncle needs to work on his wise sayings," Rocco explained. He ran his hand through the thick mat of hair on his head. "So c'mon, give details about Northwestern and the whole shit."

"Not tonight, I'm tired of talking about college and all," Amy groaned. "Let's talk about more fun stuff."

The door to McGinty's opened.

Amy's smile faded and her heart stopped beating. She held her breath as the three – very obvious – Russian mobsters entered.

Before anyone could speak, Connor and Murphy instantly looked at Amy. Their eyes were asking if these were the men that had attacked her. Amy shook her head and shrugged – she had never seen these men.

The larger of the three, the leader, barely stared at the group before saying: "I am Ivan Checkov. You will be closing now."

Closing? Amy thought sadly. Doc didn't tell me…

The men had all risen from their stools. Connor motioned Amy for her to quietly stand behind him.

Murphy swung his arm around Rocco. "Checkov…" he stared back from the Russian to Rocco. "This here's McCoy… we find us a Spock and we got an away team."

Everyone laughed – except for the Russians, Doc, and Amy.

Checkov: "I am in no mood for discussion. You-" he pointed at Doc. The Russian suddenly noticed Amy. He pointed his finger with a sly grin at the girl. "And you, niece, you stay. The rest of you go now."

Connor moved himself back as if to show the Russian he would not touch Amy. The girl placed her hands on Connor's back – he was her shield.

Doc told the Russian, "Why don't you make l-like a tree and get the fuck out of here!" The old man shook his head at his own nonsense.

Connor held his drink as a peace offering. "Ya don't have to be hard asses, now do ya?"

Murphy: "Yeah, it's St. Patty's Day. Everyone's Irish tonight. Why don't you pull up a stool and have a drink wit' us?"

The angry Russian slammed his fists down on Murphy and Connor's drinks. The loud breaking of glass and ice hitting the floor startled Amy. A small yelp escaped her lips and she felt her back push against the wooden bar.

"This is no game!" Checkov growled. "If you won't go we will make you go."

His eyes went back to Amy. Checkov grinned at the obvious barrier Connor was trying to make.

"Leave now… and we won't hurt girl," Checkov threatened.

One of the two henchmen who had entered with Checkov spoke: "She looks cute. Looks fun to play with. We heard our boys had fun with her some time ago."

Connor's hands balled into fists. Murphy took a step forward but Rocco held him back.

"Amy, go upstairs," Doc demanded.

"I'm not leaving you uncle-"

"Leave!" Doc shouted again.

Connor turned his head slightly and nodded. Amy knew she couldn't (and shouldn't) argue.

She walked in front of Connor and began to walk to the stairs-

One of the men, who still remained silent, grabbed her.

"AMY!" Doc shouted in unison with the other men.

The Silent Man held Amy close to his chest with his hand wrapped around her neck. His free hand pulled a knife out. He held the blade close to the girl's neck.

"You let her fuckin' go!" Connor shouted.

"Or you're gonna get your fuckin' ass beat," Murphy threatened.

Rocco held his arms out to stop Connor and Murphy from moving any further.

"I'm okay guys," Amy forced out. It was hard to breathe but she didn't want to do anything to instigate the mobsters.

She let out a weak gasp for air and that was it.

Connor and Murphy moved fast together – they punched Checkov's legs from under him and the Russian went down. The rest of the men made their attack fast.

Amy forced her head back as hard as she could – she could hear the nose of the Silent Russian break from behind her.

She ducked the moment she saw Rocco and a bar-friend named Will take control of the Silent Russian. Amy fell to her knees and struggled to get up.

Still on the floor, Amy turned to see Connor and two of the other bar-friends punching and kicking at the Checkov. Amy looked toward the back of the bar in time to see Murphy smash two wine bottles against the head of the Russian that had threatened her.

Amy heard Doc trying to call her – he was motioning for her to either come to him behind the bar or to run up stairs.

As she stood Amy realized from her peripheral vision that Rocco and Will fell to the floor.

Silent Russian was at her again.

Amy could hear her name being called out and she could feel the sudden change in the atmosphere as the force from Connor and Murphy's bodies were flying towards her.

Silent Russian approached her with a fist ready in the air.

But Amy was ready too: She lifted her right leg and kicked at Silent's stomach. The Russian gasped for air instantly and his hands went to his belly. Amy approached him, her eyes firm on that pained face, and she placed her hands on Silent's back and raised her knee into the Russian's face.

Once Silent was on the ground, still moaning in pain, Amy stood next to his head and raised her foot – attired in a brown boot – and slammed the tip of the boot on the Russian's head. Finding him knocked out, Amy took a few steps back.

She looked up to see the eyes of a bunch of stunned men glaring at her.

Amy shrugged. "I tried a few kickboxing classes at the university."

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Amy could hear Checkov's voice screaming in the air.

She had been forced by Doc to the apartment. Amy was in her bathroom, staring into the vanity, trying to mute the sounds of the Russian's screams.

The young woman could swear she smelled something burning…

She hadn't realized that at some point – in the brawl – she had suffered another hit to the face.

One of the rings from the Russian's hand had scraped her upper cheek. Amy had a First-Aid opened before her in the kitchen sink. She tore open an alcohol pad and began to gently place the moistened cloth beneath her eye. It stung.

The leg she had used to kick at Silent hurt too. She had quit track her junior year of high school to focus more on her studies. Thus, her body was a bit out of shape.

Amy wanted desperately to go downstairs to see what was happening.

She paced the bathroom and finally sat down at the edge of the tub. Amy placed the alcohol pad beneath her eye again, careful to close her eyes so the fumes didn't irritate them.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Connor came running up the stairs. Amy approached him as she heard someone coming up.

"Everything okay?" Amy asked. "Are they gone? What happened down there-"

"Sshhh sshhh," Connor pulled Amy into his arms. "It's a'right now love. How are y-" Connor noticed the tiny bloody scrape beneath Amy's eye. "Fuck… I didn't do enough damage on those motherfu-"

"I'm fine," Amy reassured. Her eyes went to the main doorway that led to the bar. "Everyone okay?"

"We're fine," Connor explained. "Tired out."

Another set up steps were heard coming up.

Murphy appeared, out of breath, and rubbed his hand across his face. "We sent those fuckers in a cab to garbage heap uptown. Driver was confused – but we paid him nicely." Murphy approached Amy for the first time since she had arrived back in town.

He touched her face and pulled Amy out of Connor's grasp. "Fuck, love," Murphy's eyes studied the scrape, "you okay?"

"Goddammit, I'm fine," Amy murmured. "Are you?" She turned to Connor. "The two of you haven't been too detailed."

"We're fine, love," Connor grinned. "We'll prob'ly be a bit hungover, but other than that-"

"That's not funny!" Amy snapped. She removed herself from Murphy's touch and took several steps back. "What the fuck do you guys think you were doing?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "First Doc holds back the info that the Russians want the bar… and now you two start this whole brawl and now they might come back and hurt Doc-"

"We start the brawl?" Connor asked.

Murphy: "Amy, they had a knife to your throat-"

Amy: "I was fine. You didn't have to take it that far."

Connor: "No one touches you and gets away wit' it dearie."

"The first set of Russians did!" Amy shouted. "And now these guys just get to walk away? With a few bumps and bruises?"

"We did a bit more than that love," Connor defended sarcastically.

"Stop joking!" Amy demanded. "The both of you!"

"What of you Amy?" Murphy asked. "You came out of fuckin' nowhere with those moves."

Amy: "I tried a few classes at the Northwestern gym. So what? That's not the point-"

Connor: "Aye, we got ourselves a fuckin' karate kid."

Murphy: "More like a power ranger."

Connor: "Or a vampire slayer."

Murphy: "Or-"

Amy: "STOP IT!"

Murphy and Connor stared at Amy blankly. She was shaking now and Amy was fighting her hardest to keep from crying.

"Stop joking!" Amy begged. "I'm not a kid you guys don't have to make jokes to try and make me feel better." Connor tried to approach her but Amy refused. "No! Stop it!" She stared back at each twin incredulously. "Stop trying to lighten up the mood or whatever your plan is. This is NOT okay!" She pointed to the scrape on her face. "I've had worse. And now because of this those assholes can come back and hurt Doc! You guys were lucky tonight!"

Connor shouted, "Amy they were fuckin' outnumbered!"

"Doesn't matter!" Amy screamed. "They have guns! And knives, obviously! Things could have been a lot worse. The two of you might as well have signed the death warrant for Doc-"

"Amy, calm down," Murphy shouted back. He tried to keep his voice low to keep everyone calm but it wasn't working.

Amy: "Jesus-fucking-Christ-"

Murphy and Connor in unison: "Lord's fucking name!"

"Stop it! God, just please stop it!" Amy screamed through the tears. "You guys don't understand what you've started! They'll come back! They'll come back for you and they'll come back for Doc! And I can't leave this place unless I know Doc's safe!"

"It's not your job to protect him Amy!" Murphy shouted. "Doc knew what he was getting himself into."

"He didn't involve himself with the Russian mob!" Amy yelled back.

"Amy please, calm down," Connor tried to soften his voice and composure, "listen… everyone's okay. Everyone will be okay – we promise."

"You can't promise me that!" Amy laughed sarcastically. "Stop treating me like a child and just handle reality the REAL way in front of me! Stop sugarcoating everything and trying to ensure that everything's going to be okay! Just stop it!"

"Fine Amy," Murphy shouted, "this is a shitty world but you gotta live with it! Now listen, this won't come back at ya, we won't let it!"

Connor: "He's right Amy. You know us. You can depend on us-"

"Get out," Amy suddenly demanded. "Get out."

Murphy: "Amy-" He wanted to reach out for her but Amy took another step away from the twins.

"I just want you guys to leave right now," Amy whimpered. She ran to her room and slammed the door shut.

Connor placed his hands on his waist. "Teenagers," he muttered.

"Oh fuck you Connor," Murphy snapped, "she's fuckin' scared. That was some fucked up shit down there. And Amy could have gotten hurt – again – and we-"

"And we weren't the ones protectin' her this time," Connor turned to his brother. "She was able to handle the Russian fine on her own."

"Aye, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let her fight off the mafiosos on her own," Murphy muttered. "I'm not letting any of those fucks get near her."

Doc was walking up the stairs slowly. The old man rubbed his head and he approached the MacManus brothers.

"How is sh-sh-she?" Doc asked softly.

"She's alright, Doc," Murphy whispered. "Went to her room. You may want to leave her alone for a bit."

Doc nodded. "I think I should se-se-set the girl up in a hotel r-r-room. For the time bein'. For safety. And after grad-grad-grad- oh fuck, after she's done with school, she's leaving for Illinois." The old man stared at Amy's bedroom door sadly. "I don't want her to be in this shithole another minute."

Connor placed his hand on Doc's shoulder comfortingly. "Listen old man. Don't do anythin' drastic. Amy's a young woman now. She may fight ya on this."

Doc nodded. He looked at Connor and turned to Murphy, who was also staring at Amy's closed door.

"You b-boys go on now, Rocco, Will, and Frankie are helpin' clean up da bar. Go home. Get some rest."

Murphy nodded. He turned away and stared at Doc. "You call if anythin' happens."

"Aye," Doc agreed. "Now run along boys. It's been a long night."

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

It was St. Patrick's Day, 1999, when I last saw them.

The day after the bar brawl an FBI agent came to the bar. He gave Doc and me a card with his name and information on it. He had wanted to speak with Connor and Murphy about the fight that had taken place.

I had heard from Rocco that the Russians had come after them. Connor and Murphy had somehow gotten out of the dangerous situation and ended up at the hospital. I remember that day. Doc wouldn't let me visit them at the hospital or at District 6 – a police station – where they were being held.

It broke my heart when they wouldn't return my calls. I went to their apartment practically every day to always find it in the same condition – empty.

I had been ostracized from them. Doc badgered me to focus on schoolwork and I could do nothing else.

I graduated among two hundred students that May.

And Connor and Murphy MacManus had not been there. Or at least to my knowledge.

Before I had left that summer for college, I had heard the worst news…

They were killers. Titled Boston's "Saints" they had taken the law into their own hands. They killed bad men and apparently were good at it.

Before the infamous Yakavetta court room shooting, Doc had informed me that Rocco's body had been taken to the coroner's office.

David Della Rocco, a man I had known and cared for since I was thirteen, had died. Cause: Unknown.

Back to the Yakavetta court room shooting: Sketches of Murphy and Connor's faces had been posted on the news. A third face had been listed, an older gentleman, one who had been unfamiliar to myself and to Doc too.

Then they disappeared. The cops couldn't find them and the FBI had had no luck. I received one last visit from Agent Paul Smecker who informed me to contact him if I ever heard from them. I could tell it was protocol because he didn't seem to care if I heard from them every again.

I went on with my life.

I left Boston in late July and started my education at Northwestern. My undergraduate years were the worst – not just because of the coursework but due to many other factors: my distant relationship with my uncle, the death of my mother in 2002, and a car accident in 2004 which caused my inability to never have children.

I gained a master's degree in Business Management and a bachelor's in Art Studies. After working as an intern for Chicago's Edison Museum, I easily gained a job as Art Administrator upon graduation.

Looking back on those eight years away from home, I always thought that this had been my path all along.

-Aimes Daniela Jensen

P.S. This is a note to yourself (I thought I would add this in so you can look back and remember the feeling you're having right now): Little did you know… that things were going to drastically change.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

August 28, 2007

A twenty-five-year-old Amy Jensen awoke from bed in a cold sweat. She had dreamt that she had been flying over green pastures and seen sheep and two men atop horses.

She rubbed her sweaty forehead in the darkness. Amy's eyes hadn't fully adjusted and she could barely see her own arm in front of her face.

Her body automatically relaxed in bed. She adjusted the heavy comforter and pushed it off her. Amy could hear the soft sounds of the man sleeping beside her. She ignored him for a moment. Her mind was suddenly on the two men that she had not seen nor spoken of in about eight years.

Amy closed her eyes. She felt the comforting arm of the sleeping man wrap around her. She placed her small hands on his arm. He might have been awake for a minute but the man was soon fast asleep.

Her breaths were slow and her heart began to calm itself. Just a dream, Amy thought. Just a dream.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Author's Note: Hope you're all enjoying! Reviews are appreciated! Another thing: I had always thought that Boondock Saints had taken place in 1999… in the sequel a couple of characters noted how eight years has gone by. This would mean that the movie (sequel) would take place in 2007 – not our present year: 2009. So let's all just play by the rules of the timeline.

P.S. If there are some of you that haven't seen Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, I suggest you watch the movie before continuing reading my story – I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. (P.S.S. I've seen the sequel five times already and I plan on seeing it again and again and again…)

Thanks again for the great reviews! Keep 'em coming!